Hand lubricator



ug. 1l, 1942. J, c, MORI-'zow I 2,292,710 I HAND LUBRICATOIR Filed May 25, 1940 Patented A ug. ll, 19:42

HAND Lunlca'roa John C. Morrow, Chicago, lll., assignor ytoMoi'- row Lubricator Company, Chicago, IIL, acorporation of Illinois Application May z5, i940, semi No. 337,145

(c1. zal- 47) y 12 Claims. The present invention relates tc a high pressure hand lubricator and more particularly to a lubricator of the plunger type which is adapted vfor connection to a remote lubricant supply and from which it draws lubricant and ejects it under pressure when the plunger is manually operated.

The usual or present manually operated hand lubricator devices are arranged to be directly attached to a lubricant container, such as a can or cylinder. Such a combination self-contained appliance must necessarily be of light construction to enable an operator to carry the appliance when lubricating a device such as an automotive vehicle. This construction necessarily limits the size of the can or cylinder lubricant container thereby requiring the container to be frequently filled. f

The device of the present invention is arranged for connection to a remote supply ofA lubricant to eliminate the foregoing objections.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lubricator device which may be attached to a remote supply of lubricant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novelhand lubricator device capable of forcibly eiecting lubricant under high or low pressures.

A further object of the present invention is to providea multiple pressure hand lubricator device having connection to a movable or stationary remote supply of lubricant.

Av still further object of the present invention taken substantially along the plane indicated by the lines II-II of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line III-,III of Figure Z:

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear end elevational view ofthe device illustrated in Figure 2as seen when looking toward the actuating thumb buttons; A.

Figure A5ils a reduced top plan view of the device illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sec-- tional view of the valve structureV shown in Figure 2. v

As illustrated in Figure 1, the hand lubricator I0 is shown as being held by the right-hand of an operator Il with his left-hand free for other uses, such for example as cleaning the parts of a vehiclefto be lubricated.

Asshown, lubricant is contained in the canteen-'like container I2 which is suspended from a shoulder strap I3 and connected to the hand lubricator lll by a flexible hose Il.

The device illustrated is but one of ka number -of modifications illustrative of the operation of the hand lubricatorV of this invention. If desired, the hand lubricator l 0 may be connected to a large stationary lubricant container (not shown) by the flexible hose il. When so connected, the range of operation of the hand lubricator is dependent upon the length of the flexible connecting hose and the ability of the hand is to provide a pump lubricator of such construc- A tion as to be carried and operated by but one of the operators hands, and in addition, is so connected to a remote lubricant supply as to increase the operating range therefrom over similar lubricators in use at the present time.

'I'he novel features believed 'to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, b'oth as to its organization and manner of construction, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure lis a view illustrative of oneiof the ways in which the lubricating device embodying the principles of this invention is manually operated and connected to a remote source lof lubricant; l

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinalv vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, of

lubricator to lift lubricant bysuction 'from its container into its operating cylinders, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

'The hand lubricator Il) includes a pistol-shaped.

body AI5 having a barrel portion I6 and a grip I1 'suitably shaped to be gripped by the fingers and palm of an operator. An upper fingerhold or grip I8 projects upwardly andforwardly from the rear-end of the barrel portion for engagement by the index finger of the operator to better and more securely hold` the lubricator device for operation. Metal is removed from the finger portion 18" to provide an aperture I9 for the purpose of .reducing weight and for hanging the lubricator Vwhen not in use.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the barrel I6 isvprovided with a pair of spaced parallel horizontally extending bores 20 and 2l. A The bore ,20 is, of larger diameter than the parallel bore 2| foie a purpose to be more fully described `hereina r.

A Wishbone-shaped spout 22 is connected to the A the lubricator device illustrated in Figure 1, as 55` forward end of the barrel I 6, as illustrated in I Figure 5. The spout 22 is shaped to providel a nozzle 23 and a U-shaped end formed -by a pair of branches 24 and 25. A nipple 25 having one end exteriorly threaded is threaded into the threaded end pf the small bore 2 I A similar nipple 21 is threaded into the end of the larger bore 25.

As shown in Figure 2, the end of the branch 24 is exteriorly threaded at 25 to engage the interiorly threaded end of the nipple 25. Similarly, the branch 25 is connected to the nipple 21.

The extremity of the nozzle 23 is provided with a tip member 29 having an apertured pilot projection 35 for entrance into a lubricant fitting to center the nozzle. A rounded member 3| surrounds the pilot and is adapted to seat against and seal the connection between the tip and a lubricant fitting. If desired, the rounded member 3| may be formed of yieldable material which will compress when the tip is applied to a tltting to seal the connection between the tip and the fitting. Y

'I'he tip member 29 can be indented at 32 to retain the rounded member 3| therein. 'I'he tip 25 has a polygonal portion 33, which is interiorly threaded to threadedly engage the extremity of the'nozzle23. The polygonal portion 33 is useful in receiving a tool for applying'the tip to, or removing it from, the nozzle 23.

A at plate 34, carrying a tapered point 35 which extends into the tapered portion 35 on the inside of the nipple 25, is frictionally retained within the bore 31 of the end of the branch 24.

A coil spring 35 is threaded about the point 35 and normally bears against a ball 39 which constitutes a check-valve arrangement. The ball 39 normally closes the reduced axially bore 45 provided at the forward end of the nipple 26.

A similar arrangement (not shown) is provided within the nipple 21 connecting the branch 25 to the enlarged bore 25.

A vertical passageway 4| is provided in the grip portion |1 and terminates at its upper extremity in an angular branch 42, communicating with the small bore 2|, and an angular branch 43, communicating with the large bore 20. At its lower end, the passageway 4| is threaded to receive the threaded end 44 of a hose nipple 45. 'I'he nipple 45 is provided with a hexagonal portion 45 for receiving a tool for applying the nipple to the grip i1 whereby it is locked in place against the square shoulder 41. A smooth rod-like shank 48 is provided opposite the threaded end 44 around which the end of the hose I4 is positioned.

A sleeve 49, exteriorly threaded adjacent one end as at 55 and terminating in a knurled knob is threadedly engaged within the rear end of the axial bore 2| with the knob 5| locked against the end face of the barrel l5. At its knobbed end, the sleeve 49 is provided with an enlarged bore 52.

A thin sleeve 53 is pressed into the internal bore of the sleeve 49 and extends beyond the forward end thereof, as shown in Figure 2. The recess provided between the opposite end of the sleeve 53 and the enlarged bore 52 provides a. seat for a coilspring 54 whose purpose is more fully explained hereinafter.

A piston rod 55 extends through the inside bore of the sleeve 53 and terminates at one end in a portion to which is connected a thumb button 55. The coil spring 54 embraces the outer end of the piston rod 55 and abuts against the thumb button 55 to normally hold the thumb button in projected operative position.

' valve 15.

'I'he portion ot the piston rod 55 which works within the sleeve 53 has portions 51 and 55 of restricted diameter, and other portions 55 and 55 of slightly greater diameter, but of less diameter than the diameter of the rod 55. A yieldable washer 5| surrounds the reduced portion 51 and is expansive against the bore of the sleeve 53 to prevent liquid discharge towards the rear -v end of the bore 2|. However. should liquid such as lubricant escape by the washer 5|, it becomes trapped within the recess formed by the reduced portion 55. The washer and its adiacent recess essentially seals the bore 2| against lubricant escape through its rear end when under pressure.

An enlarged tapered portion 52 is formed on the piston rod in inwardly spaced relation from its forward end. A spacer sleeve 53 abuts at one end against the sleeve 55 and at its inner end against the shoulder 54 provided at one end of the tapered portion 52.

A longitudinally extending slot 55 is provided on the piston rod portion between the shoulder 54 and the reduced portion 51. A pin 55 extends inwardly of the sleeve 53 to seat within the slot 55 to restrict the piston rod against rotative movement but allowing for limited endwise movement thereof.

The forward end of the piston rod 55 is shaped to provide a reduced round portion 51 which terminates at its free end in a square portion 55. A pin 55 is passed through a suitable aperture provided in the square end 55 and extends beyond the side surfaces thereof.

A piston valve 15V is carried within the bore 2| to have frictional sliding engagement therewith. The piston valve is hollow for a major portion of its length and terminates in a head 1| which is centrally apertured a't 12 for normally engaging against the tapered portion 52 of the rod to close liquid communication through the piston valve.

A sleeve 13, having a reduced portion 14 for a major portion of its length, terminates at one end in an oval-shaped portion 15. Slots 15 and 11 are provided in the side walls of the end 15 across its shortest diameter to receive therein the extended ends of the pin 53. As shown in Figure 2, the inner end of the reduced portion 14 terminates short of the valve head 1|. A coil spring 15 embraces the reduced portion 14 and is interposed between the valve head 1| 'and the oval-shaped end 15 to permit limited endwise movement between the piston valve 15 and the sleeve 13.

The coil spring 15 serves to normally maintain the piston valve head 1| in seated engagement with the tapered portion 52 of the piston rod 55.

An 'inlet chamber 15 is defined within the axial bore 2| between the inner end of the sleeve 49 and the head 1| of the piston valve 15. Similarly, an outlet chamber 55 is formed within the axial bore 2| between the piston valve and the inner valve end of the nipple 25. It is to be noted that the operative lengths of both the inlet and outlet chambers vary depending upon the position of the movable piston branch 42 connects the inlet chamber 15 and the vertical passageway 4|. Similarly, the branch 43 connects the inlet chamber of the bore 25 and the passageway 4|.

To operate the lubricator device described herein, the operator places his index finger about v As shown in Figure 2, the angular which denes the forward limit of move-- ment of the piston valve 1l, the operator releases pressure thereon and the spring rM returns the thumb button to its normal projected position as shown in Figure 2. Engagement between the Aspacing sleeve 63, the shoulder 64 on the tapered portion 62, and the end of the sleeve 53 defines the limit of movement of the piston rod to the right. As the piston rod moves to the right, friction between the piston valve I0 and the axial bore 2|, as well as re- .duced pressure' or suction in the outlet chamber 80, caused by exhausting the chamber and then sealing it with the check ball 39, is suflicient to overcome compression ofthe coil spring 1I, thereby disensaging they seated connection between the valve head 1| and the tapered portion 62. The gradual return to the right of the piston valve creates a suction within the outlet chamber 80 and permits passageof the lubricant from within the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. When the outlet chamber is substantially lled withy lubricant the spring ll will seat the head 1| against the tapered portion 62. When pressure is again applied against the thumb button 56, the lubricant trapped within the outlet chamber 80 is compressed by the piston valve 10 to overcome compression of the coil spring 38 within the nipple 26. The ball 39 then moves away from its obstructing position within the bore 4|) to permit lubricant to ilow under pressure from the outlet chamberthrough the spout 22.

It will be noted that the inward or power stroke of the piston rod 55 performs the double function of drawing lubricant into the inlet chamber from the lubricant container and compresses lubricant trapped within thel outlet chamber to force it through the spout. 'Ihe return stroke permits lubricant to flow from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, where it is ready for compression. By reciprocating the piston rod through the actuation of the thumb button 56, a pumping action takes place within the small bore 2|.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5, the arrangement of parts within the larger axial bore'20 is exactly the same as the arrangement within the smaller bore 2| with thel exception that the parts are suiciently large to seat within the enlarged bore. As shown in Figure 3, the sleeve 53 is smaller in diameter than the corresponding sleeve 8| provided in the bore 20. The other parts are shaped proportionately and in the same manner as those shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 5, the piston rodl within the larger bore is actuated by a thumb button 82.

Both of the thumb buttons 56 and B2 are D-shaped in end elevation and are positioned with their at edges 83 and 84 in spaced opposed relation, as illustrated in Figure 4. This spaced opposed relationship is maintained by the coaction between the pin 66 and the longitudinal slot formed in each o! the'piston rods.

It is evident from the lsize of the bores 2l and 2|'that the actuation of the respective sized piston valves will result in a difference of pressures and quantities of lubricants ejected therefrom. The axial bore 2| being smaller, a smaller quantity of lubricant'under less pressurewill be ejected therefrom than from the larger bore 20.

By positioning the thumb-buttons 56 and 82 in closely adjacent relationshi the operator is able to actuate either one or both by the thumb of his right-hand. Obviously, variable pressures and quantities of lubricant from either size ejector or from a combination of both may be obtained. 4

While a particular embodiment only of this invention has been illustrated, it will, of course, be understood that the invention should not be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made and, therefore, it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. A lubricant gun comprisingl a body having a plurality of bores therein and passageways connecting said bores to each other -and to al source of lubricant, and a pump in each of said bores, each of said pumps having a reciprocable piston rod with an intermediate enlarged tapered portion, a cup-shaped piston having a bore through the end wall thereof for receiving said piston tod therethrough and defining a seat for the tapered portion of said piston rod, a sleeve having an enlarged end and a reduced end within said piston, means connecting the enlarged end of said sleeve and said piston rod, and spring means embracing the reduced end of said sleeve and being seated between the enlarged end of the sleeve and the end wall of said piston.

2. A lubricant gun comprising a housing having a plurality of different sized cylinder bores therein and passageways connecting said bores to each other'andv to a source of lubricant, a suction and ejection pump in each. bore, each pump having a piston rod with an intermediate tapered portion and'rod portions of reduced size extending away therefrom, one of said reduced rod portions extending outwardly beyond said housing, spring means normally maintaining said one rod portion in said extended position, a cupshaped cylindrical piston around the other of said reduced rod portions having an apertured end wall defining a seat for the tapered portion on said piston rod, and spring means having one end connected to the free end of said other reduced rod portion andk its other end seated against the end wall of said piston for normally seating the latter on said tapered portion of the piston rod.

3. In a multi-pressure lubricating pump adapted for connection to a remote lubricant source and to be held and operated by one of an operators hands, ythe improvements which comprise a body having axial bores therethrough defining cylinders, one of said cylinders having a diameter greater than the diameter of the other cylinder, said body having an intercommunicating conduit between said cylinders and said lubricant source, an ejector spout connecting adjacent ends of said cylinders, a reciprocable piston in each cylinder dividing the cylinderA into a suction chamber between one end of the piston and 4 said intercommunicating conduit and a discharge .chamber between the other end o! the piston and said ejector spout, means for independently and simultaneously actuating each of said pistons one. direction and effecting flow communication between said chambers when said spring means moves said piston in said opposite direction.

4. A lubricant gun comprising a body having a plurality of bores therein and passageways connecting said bores to each other and to a source of lubricant, a suction and ejection pump in each bore, means for manually actuating said pumps in one direction, means for moving said pumps in the opposite direction, means for bypassing lubricant through said pumps when moved in one of said directions, an ejector spout -havlng a single discharge end and branches extending away therefrom in diverged relation and being connected to said bores, and check valves in said branches.

5. In a multi-pressure lubricating pump adapted for connection to a remote lubricant source and to be held and operated by one of an operators hands, the improvement which comprises a body having a pair of axial bores therethrough demng liquid cylinders, said cylinders having diierent diameters and an intercommunicating conduit connected to' said lubricant source, an ejector spout having a single passageway at one end and a double passageway at its other end for connection to said cylinders, a spring pressed ball 1n each passageway connected to said cylinders and normally closing said ejector spout against liquid ow, a cup-shaped piston valve in each cylinder movable therein towards and away from said rst valves, each of saidl piston valves having an axial port at one end and deilning in its respective cylinder an inlet chamber on the inter-communicating conduit side and an outlet chamber on the spring pressed ball side, a piston rod in each cylinder having a tapered portion adjacent its inner end extending into said axial port for closing said port when said rod is moved toward said spring pressed ball, a spring between the inner end of each piston rod and each cup-shaped valve for normally holdlng the latter against said tapered portion, means for holding said piston rods against rotation and permitting endwise movement thereof, a thumb button at the outer end of each of said piston rods for independently moving either piston rod inwardly of its respective cylinder, and spring means for independently urging each of said thumb buttons in the opposite direction for moving said piston rods in a projected position, each of said piston valves when moved inwardly creating suction on one side for drawing lubricant from a container into its inlet chamber and for compressing lubricant trapped in its outlet chamber to urge said spring pressed ball in an opening direction to permit lubricant to iiow through said spout, each of said thumb button springs then becoming eiiective to move its piston rod in the opposite direction, each of said piston valves snugly tting its cylinder so as to lag behind said rod when moved in said opposite direction to displace said valve with respect to said rod and open its axial port for lubricant ilow from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber, said lubricant being ejected through said spout from a single cylinder or from both cylinders simultaneously.

6. A pistol-shaped body for a hand lubrlcator comprising a barrel having a plurality of spaced parallel bores extending longitudinally therethrough, an intercommunicating conduit between said bores, a hand grip on said barrel extending in substantially right-angular relationship to the axes of said bores, a passageway in said hand grip terminating in said intercommunicating conduit, and a second grip on said barrel opposite said hand grip and extending upwardly and forwardly for engagement by the index finger of an operator.

7. A pump for a hand lubricator comprising a reciprocable piston rod having an intermediate enlargedl tapered portion, -a cylindrical piston having a wall at one end, an axial bore in said wall for receiving said piston rod therethrough and deiining a seat for the tapered portion of said piston rod, a cylindrical member having an enlarged end portion and a reduced end portion being positioned within said cylindrical piston, a slot in said enlarged end, a pin extending through said piston rod and seated within said slot, and a coil spring within said cylindrical piston and embracingthe reduced end portion of said cylindrical member between its enlarged end portion and the end wallof said cylindrical piston.

8. A pump for a hand lubricator comprising a reciprocable piston rod having an enlarged portion deilning a shoulder, a sleeve slidably receiving said piston rod therethrough with one end dening an abutment for said shoulder, an axially extending slot in a portion of -said piston rod, a pin in said sleeve having a portion extending into said slot for limiting relative movement between said piston rod and said sleeve when the shoulder is moved away from said one end of the sleeve, and means adjacent said slotted portion of said piston rod for iluid sealing said relatively movable rod and sleeve.

9. A pump for a hand lubrlcator comprising a reciprocable piston rod, a. stationary sleeve embracing said rod, means limiting the movements of said rod relative to the sleeve, adjacent. reduced portions onan intermediate portion of said piston rod, a collar separating said reduced portions, and a resilient washer seated in one of said reduced portions and being expansible against the inner surface of said sleeve for sealing the sleeve against lubricant seepage, the other of said reduced portions defining a trap for any lubricant seeping by said resilient washer.

10. A wish-bone ejector spout for a multicylinder hand lubricator comprising a hollow discharge nozzle, a removable lubricant fitting at one end of said nozzle, a pair of hollow branches connected at their convergent ends to the other end of said nozzle and extending away therefrom in diverged relation, a nipple at each of the diverged ends lof said branches for connection to a cylinder in said lubricator, and check Vvalve means between each diverged end of said branches and the'nipple thereon.

11. An ejector spout for a multi-cylinder hand lubricator comprising a hollow discharge nozzle, a removable lubricant fitting at one end of said nozzle, a plurality of hollow branches connected at their convergent ends to the other end of said nozzle and extending away therefrom in diverged relation, a hollow nipple at each of the diverged ends of said branches for connection to a cylinder of said lubricator, an end wall at the free 'end of said nipple, an axial bore through said end wall detlning a seat, a fiat plate pressed into the nipple end of each branch, a lug on said plate, a coil spring carried at one end by said lug, and a ball normally maintained seated against the axial bore in said nipple end wall by the other end oi said coil spring.

12. A pump construction comprising a recip- JOHN C. MORROW. 

